Desert Splash - An Off-Road Adventure

After the 2013 SEMA show the plan was to head north to pick up some event coverage outside of Las Vegas. But thanks to the big government shutdown, the desert was closed. No, really. But where Big Brother closes a door, it sometimes opens a window and we found ourselves for the first time hitting the trails with the Parker 4 Wheelers in Parker, Arizona. The club has been putting its Desert Splash event for 18 years. Although this is the first time we’ve joined them, it sure won’t be the last.

The event starts on a Friday and runs to Sunday with organized trail runs each day. There is camping for RVs and tents available at the La Paz County Park which sits along the Colorado River. Most of the trail runs stay in Arizona, but a couple of them venture to the other side of the river in California as well. No matter what your taste, there are flavors of trails from mild (a stock four-door JK can do it) to wild (you are better off bringing a buggy or at least a complete lack of regard for sheetmetal). Other highlights include a Friday night car crush and a Saturday night barbeque and raffle. The car crush is cool and everyone is welcome to participate. The barbeque is included in your registration fees, as is a continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. The 2013 Desert Splash you see here was held November 8-10, but check parker4wheelers.net for when the 2014 event will be held if you are interested in attending.